6 Weeks in with Tinnitus... Help?

[tyjkramer]

My tinnitus developed 24 hours after a flight about 6-7 weeks ago (July 22). The first week was AWFUL! But it seems that I can now mask it easier, I don't focus on it as much, and that it is almost quieter (but I am not sure). I am not sure if I am just habituating, or if it is actually going away. It all started after a particular experience I was extremely nervous about, so one of the ENTs thought it may be stress/anxiety related, but it is still here. I have no hearing loss and everything seems to look normal.
EDIT: It seems the tinnitus is usually only loud in my right ear, but it is sometimes bad in the left ear as well. And it is worse when laying down on either side.

The ENTs are frustrating me though because they are not listening. Every now and then (basically once a week), I get sharp pains in my ears that can last a few hours. My ears also feel full, but they aren't full at all. Basically they said they do not know what is causing my ear pains or tinnitus or feeling of fullness, which sucks. One doctor briefly mentioned I had TMJ, but she didn't mention any possible connection.

Any advice or anything? Everyone said "just wait 1-3 months and it will go away!" but it's been around half that time and it is still here annoying me. This morning there was a random new noise in my ear for a little bit, but that seemed to go away relatively quick after I popped my ears. No idea what is causing this. I am only 18 so I really do not want to deal with this for the rest of my life...

 

[dpdx]

My tinnitus developed 24 hours after a flight about 6-7 weeks ago (July 22). The first week was AWFUL! But it seems that I can now mask it easier, I don't focus on it as much, and that it is almost quieter (but I am not sure). I am not sure if I am just habituating, or if it is actually going away. It all started after a particular experience I was extremely nervous about, so one of the ENTs thought it may be stress/anxiety related, but it is still here. I have no hearing loss and everything seems to look normal.
EDIT: It seems the tinnitus is usually only loud in my right ear, but it is sometimes bad in the left ear as well. And it is worse when laying down on either side.

The ENTs are frustrating me though because they are not listening. Every now and then (basically once a week), I get sharp pains in my ears that can last a few hours. My ears also feel full, but they aren't full at all. Basically they said they do not know what is causing my ear pains or tinnitus or feeling of fullness, which sucks. One doctor briefly mentioned I had TMJ, but she didn't mention any possible connection.

Any advice or anything? Everyone said "just wait 1-3 months and it will go away!" but it's been around half that time and it is still here annoying me. This morning there was a random new noise in my ear for a little bit, but that seemed to go away relatively quick after I popped my ears. No idea what is causing this. I am only 18 so I really do not want to deal with this for the rest of my life...

WAIT AND DON'T TOUCH.
DON'T LET AN ENT TOUCH YOUR EARS. They are retarded.

Did you attend a concert?
Did you listen to iPod or use earbuds?
Have you been to a concert around the time of the onset?
Have you taken any ototoxic drug?
Does your jaw click/crack when you open/close it?

I think you got a barotrauma and if you used earbuds on the plane then you might have caused more harm. WAIT IT OUT for a while and see.

 

[Jemina]

If your tinnitus started after a flight, your ears might have suffered some kind of ear trauma caused by air pressure changes.

Did you have ear pain and pressure/fullness during the flight?

 

[trancerobot]

If you feel that your ears are full, then they're probably full, regardless of what the ENT says. It's mucus. Even if it's an infection, it's still mucus. Eventually that will start to damage your hearing, so you'll want to get that drained.

I have had a whole decade+ long episode dealing with that, and while I'm not completely sure yet, I've had great success recently with Mucinex. Specifically, guaifenesin. This is an exporant - meaning it makes your mucus watery, allowing it to drain and making it easy to cough out.

If you try guaifenesin, get the most generic brand possible. It won't actually be called Mucinex. I recommend this because the actual branded version tends to come with a bunch of other things that you might not need or want. These are cold medicines, you're not sick, so all that other stuff is unnecessary.

To find what you need, look around in the section of the isle where you find the cold meds. The mucus stuff will all be clustered together. Then start reading the ingredients. If it's just guaifenesin and nothing else, it's good, regardless what the brand name is.

When you take it, be sure to drink a lot of water, otherwise you'll get dehydrated. If you feel your ears drain, you're making progress. Your ringing may not reduce right away along with it, but it might help after a day or two. edit: take it once every four hours with a big glass (or two) of water. If your situation doesn't change after a few days, and if you've experienced no mucus draining sensation, stop taking it.

The reason I'm quick to recommend this is because there's basically no risk to trying it. Also, I've experienced pain in my ear from time to time through out my nearly 20 years now of having tinnitus. My hearing is much reduced in my right ear as a consequence, and when it started in my good left ear I knew I had to do something. This recommendation here is the culmination of my own experience - it might not work for you - but there's no risk to trying it.

If you have an aversion to pills, or would like to avoid being dependent on them, you can also try steam inhalers, maintaining the heightened water intake, ivy leaf tea, humidifiers, and things like that.

 

[Jemina]

Oh, and one more thing!

The interior of a plane is quite loud (80-95 decibels), depending on the flight. How long was your flight, no hearing protection?

Those decibels + ear pressure changes can cause some damage...

Not saying it will be permanent, but you should let your ears rest!!!, Avoid loud noises and get enough rest, no stress! Wear earplugs in noisy environments. Protect your ears, there's still a chance your T will fade!!

 

[tyjkramer]

@dpdx No concerts recently. Most recent was in January... I did use earbuds on the plane but wasn't listening to loud music. Had a podcast playing.My jaw does click sometimes while eating. Not always though so i'm not sure about the TMJ... Do have toothaches a lot though. I don't know if this means anything but I do have wisdom teeth I was supposed to get removed but it's been a few years

 

[tyjkramer]

@Jemina I had earbuds in so the plane noise wasn't loud to me. I had a podcast playing and it wasn't loud by any means. Im almost positive it's a pressure thing... Someone who has experience said it might be inner ear barotrauma because the ENT wouldn't be able to see it

 

[tyjkramer]

@trancerobot I dont think they're full. I have a sensation at times that makes it feel like I should pop my ears and I do. There isn't fluid in them. I think there might be negative pressure because tympanometry can miss this sometimes. When they hurt it feels I am too deep underwater or something

 

[Contrast]

it is common knowledge here that ENT's are a complete disservice and don't test correctly for hearing loss.

 

[tyjkramer]

and @Jemina i didnt have problems during the flight. I was trying to sleep in different positions which might have strained my neck I don't really know. The docs have called BS on essentially all of my claims. Said it's gonna go away just have to wait it out. I asked if barotrauma, ETD, tumor etc. They're convinced it's nothing and when I followed up with the first ENT the only thing he said after was that he was confident it would either fade away or into the background...

 

[tyjkramer]

@Contrast I don't really have hyperacusis though. My ear isn't super sensitive to sounds. I've been trying to stay away from loud sounds though

 

[Contrast]

@Contrast I don't really have hyperacusis though. My ear isn't super sensitive to sounds. I've been trying to stay away from loud sounds though

i never said you did, i'm just saying your tinnitus could have still been caused by hearing loss.

 

[tyjkramer]

@Contrast are there tests to determine??

 

[dpdx]

@Contrast are there tests to determine??

DPOAE

 

[Vicki14]

WAIT AND DON'T TOUCH.
DON'T LET AN ENT TOUCH YOUR EARS. They are retarded.

Absolutely CORRECT!!! An Audiologist MESSED up my ears big time by removing wax via Microsuction. My life has sadly never been the same. Biggest regret ever!

 

[dpdx]

Absolutely CORRECT!!! An Audiologist MESSED up my ears big time by removing wax via Microsuction. My life has sadly never been the same. Biggest regret ever!

Same here. I did the oVEMP, it was 100 dB, and it was in January. Still dealing with severe hyperacusis and severe tinnitus. 0 improvement. I guess it's permanent... I also lost 20-25 dB of my hearing.

 

[Jemina]

Someone who has experience said it might be inner ear barotrauma because the ENT wouldn't be able to see it

That's what I thought too. I know an audiologist who has tinnitus and it started after a long flight...

 

[Jemina]

An Audiologist MESSED up my ears big time by removing wax via Microsuction

The same thing happened to me... It was a month ago, back then I didn't know enough about tinnitus and made huge mistakes... I told them I have tinnitus and asked if it was safe to perform microsuction. I was told it doesn't affect T. Such a terrible lie! Can't trust ENTs and audiologists!

 

[Vicki14]

@Jemina So sorry to hear you have been affected by this too.... My tinnitus was very quiet before and now I have very loud Tinnitus, hypercausis, fibromyalgia, painful stomach and anxiety as a result. It's truly awful. Hope you are coping better than me! X

 

[Vicki14]

@dpdx I'm so sorry to hear this! I absolutely enrages me how these procedures are permitted!!! They carry on practicing... fat dumb and happy while we are left with a lifetime of suffering!!!! It's absolutely criminal. It's absolutely wrecked my good life and caused huge anxiety and stress. Wish I'd left well alone....

 

[Jemina]

@Vicki14

Sorry to hear your tinnitus is so loud.

I also have hyperacusis.

Tinnitus and hyperacusis are a bad combination.

Stay strong

 

[Vicki14]

@Jemina Thank you, it's kicking my butt right now.... You too, keep up the fight xx

 

[Greg Sacramento]

If you feel that your ears are full, then they're probably full, regardless of what the ENT says. It's mucus. Even if it's an infection, it's still mucus. Eventually that will start to damage your hearing, so you'll want to get that drained.

I have had a whole decade+ long episode dealing with that, and while I'm not completely sure yet, I've had great success recently with Mucinex. Specifically, guaifenesin. This is an exporant - meaning it makes your mucus watery, allowing it to drain and making it easy to cough out.

If you try guaifenesin, get the most generic brand possible. It won't actually be called Mucinex. I recommend this because the actual branded version tends to come with a bunch of other things that you might not need or want. These are cold medicines, you're not sick, so all that other stuff is unnecessary.

To find what you need, look around in the section of the isle where you find the cold meds. The mucus stuff will all be clustered together. Then start reading the ingredients. If it's just guaifenesin and nothing else, it's good, regardless what the brand name is.

When you take it, be sure to drink a lot of water, otherwise you'll get dehydrated. If you feel your ears drain, you're making progress. Your ringing may not reduce right away along with it, but it might help after a day or two. edit: take it once every four hours with a big glass (or two) of water. If your situation doesn't change after a few days, and if you've experienced no mucus draining sensation, stop taking it.

The reason I'm quick to recommend this is because there's basically no risk to trying it. Also, I've experienced pain in my ear from time to time through out my nearly 20 years now of having tinnitus. My hearing is much reduced in my right ear as a consequence, and when it started in my good left ear I knew I had to do something. This recommendation here is the culmination of my own experience - it might not work for you - but there's no risk to trying it.

If you have an aversion to pills, or would like to avoid being dependent on them, you can also try steam inhalers, maintaining the heightened water intake, ivy leaf tea, humidifiers, and things like that.

Infection or even a cold certainly can have an association with ear fullness.

 

[tyjkramer]

That's what I thought too. I know an audiologist who has tinnitus and it started after a long flight...

My flight was a very brief one. 2 hours at most... would an MRI confirm an inner ear barotrauma diagnosis? No doctor has really thought it could be that.

 

[tyjkramer]

Infection or even a cold certainly can have an association with ear fullness.

I don't think it's an infection either. I went to my allergist and told him about everything too and he tried azithromycin for a few days to see if that helped and it didn't.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@tyjkramer I'm sorry I was just speaking in general. I will take a look at your history.

 

[MattS]

WAIT AND DON'T TOUCH.
DON'T LET AN ENT TOUCH YOUR EARS. They are retarded.

Did you attend a concert?
Did you listen to iPod or use earbuds?
Have you been to a concert around the time of the onset?
Have you taken any ototoxic drug?
Does your jaw click/crack when you open/close it?

I think you got a barotrauma and if you used earbuds on the plane then you might have caused more harm. WAIT IT OUT for a while and see.

Barotrauma? Made it worse from headphones? This is rampant speculation, and unfounded sky-is-falling panic.

dpdxr is right that just waiting it out is the right approach, but for the love of God try not to panic like they are. As you said, it's already far more tolerable after only 6 weeks. So the sky is not falling, the world is not coming to an end. It's only a little ringing... many live with it just fine, and so will you (if you have to).

dpdx is also right that you should take care of your ears, try not to expose them to undue noise. But again: do not panic; just be smart.

-Matt

 

[Smartone202]

The guy didn't get Barotrauma. If he did believe me he would know it.

But to the OP, was this your very first experience with tinnitus or did you have issues before? Was there anything unusual about this flight? And did the tinnitus start immediately after it?

I too am a post flight tinnitus sufferer, where my original tinnitus was made worse, and my ENT told me it's not possible for a flight to cause this. Pretty ironic coincidence though don't you think? I go on one flight 2 months after tinnitus onset and that night develop worse tinnitus symptoms? Yeah.